Who Knew? Subaru Outback Turns 30

The Outback gets better with age.

The Subaru Outback isn't getting older; it's getting better with age. The Outback midsize SUV was the top-selling model for Subaru of America last year, a fantastic testament to how popular the Outback is in America. 

It's hard to believe, but Subaru's Outback SUV/Wagon/Crossover turns thirty this year. I won't go into what category the Outback falls into because it does so much, adapting to various customer needs and preferences. 

The Outback defies conventional wisdom. A station wagon isn't supposed to be popular with American consumers. No other wagon is pulling off what the Outback is doing. It's the best-selling wagon in America. 

I am pulling some of the information in this report from Ruge's Subaru in Rhinebeck, New York. 

Ruge's Subaru says, "The Outback was first born as a trim package for the Subaru Legacy. Considered by some to be one of the first crossover vehicles of its kind, the Outback delivered a durable, practical everyday ride that fit in on both country roads and city streets. The Outback was designed to offer a more rugged ride and power with its Boxer engine, plus more space than a traditional wagon or sedan had previously."

30 years ago...

Thirty years ago, Outback was born out of desperation. The small Japanese automaker was struggling to gain traction with U.S. buyers, and they needed to make something happen. Enter the 1995 Outback that was launched in 1994.

The first Outback was a hit with buyers looking for something that combined the power of all-wheel drive with the utility of a wagon. Since it was based on the Legacy, the two models were very similar from the start. After the Outback continued to gain popularity, it was redesigned and released as just the Outback, with trim packages of its own. 

Outback received a refresh in 2020; the sixth-generation Outback is ready for the next-generation model. But first, here's a fascinating look at the Outback's evolution through the years. 

The First Generation (1994-1999)

First introduced in 1994 at the New York Auto Show, the Outback was sold as the Legacy Outback. It helped Subaru get into the newly emerging SUV market, which was gaining popularity. In the U.S., the first generation Outback was offered with all-wheel drive and options for a 4-door sedan or 5-door station wagon. The Outback also offered drivers more power than before with two Boxer engines, a 2.2-liter delivering 135 horsepower or a 2.5-liter engine that produced 155 horsepower, depending on whether you went with a manual or automatic transmission.

Ruge's Subaru says, "The beefy first-generation Outback wagon offered good ground clearance to make minor off-roading excursions possible without sacrificing space or safety. Think less of a rugged mountain trail romp and more casual weekend camping. Split folding rear seats kept the Outback interior flexible, using the Outback's max cargo room. The first generation of Outback was a great example of form and function—a nice-looking car that offered drivers the durability they wanted when they needed it the most."

The Second Generation (2000-2004)

The second generation Outback came into its own as it was the first time the Outback was a separate model from the Legacy. The all-new Subaru Outback received a redesign in 2000 that set it apart. The second-generation model kept all the great features that drivers of the previous generation loved, like standard all-wheel drive and a car-like ride with responsive handling, reliability, and driver-friendly controls.

The second generation Outback, offered as a sedan or wagon, came standard with a 2.5-liter Boxer engine with an improved output of 165 horsepower or an option of a 3.0-liter engine that produced 212 horsepower. The second generation offered the base level plus several additional trim levels, with specials like the VCD trim that offered features like Onstar and leather seating, or the sought-after L.L. Bean Edition, which offered a 200 Watt McIntosh stereo system, a six-disc CD changer, and a moonroof.

The Third Generation (2005-2009)

The third-generation Subaru Outback arrived with significant changes, including an all-new platform, adding to the crossover's size and performance capabilities. The Outback's third-generation upgrades included an exterior redesigned for a more modern look, plus rugged tires and higher-end materials in the cabin. The third generation released the highest-performance Subaru yet with the Outback's XT trim level and a 2.5-liter turbocharged Boxer engine pumping out an impressive 250 horsepower.

Meanwhile, the popular L.L. Bean trim was discontinued. The overall new styling gave the Outback the look of an upmarket vehicle but kept its affordable pricing. It also began to receive upgrades in modern technology like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

The Fourth Generation (2010-2014)

The fourth-generation Outback was redesigned inside and out and grew in size. The Outback became broader and taller, with new larger headlamps, roomier cabin, increased cargo room, and more ground clearance than previous generations. These changes were calculated to help the Outback continue to compete in the growing SUV market. Subaru introduced its all-new CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), plus a new six-speed manual transmission; however, the fourth generation was the last Outback generation to offer the manual transmission option.

The Fifth Generation (2015-2019)

The popular Outback was again redesigned to be bigger than previous generations. The Outback looked fresh but still recognizable. The fifth generation was the most efficient Outback yet, in more ways than one. Not only did it offer a better fuel economy than previous generations, but safety features and technology also took a giant leap forward during this time, with Subaru's Eyesight driver assist technology becoming available on all Subaru vehicles.

The 2015 to 2019 model Outback had more cargo room than previous generations. Upgraded tech was installed to support smartphones and make connecting with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto easier than before. The off-roading capabilities, fuel efficiencies, and higher-end materials made the fifth-generation Outback a desirable used car that can be found at a reasonable price.

The Sixth Generation (2020-Present)

Subaru continued to upgrade and improve the Outback to keep it relevant globally, especially in the U.S., its largest market. The sixth generation redesign included up-market materials used in the interior to give the Outback a more luxurious feel. A large touchscreen with the latest connectivity tech is centered and at the driver's fingertips. The most significant upgrade included a 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine upgrade in XT trims, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque.

Now in its sixth generation, the Outback continues to impress with its rugged "go-anywhere" attitude and now boasts the rugged Wilderness trim level for outdoor enthusiasts. The Wilderness offers off-pavement capability with 9.5 inches of ground clearance thanks to longer front and rear shock absorbers with increased suspension travel. 

Today, customers can get the 2025 Outback SUV/Crossover in nine trim levels. The Base is priced at $30,290, Premium ($32,590), Onyx Edition ($37,500), Limited ($39,250), Touring ($41,740), Onyx Edition XT ($40,755), Wilderness ($41,355), Limited XT ($41,590), and Touring XT ($44,190). In addition, destination and delivery fees are included in the price above ($1,395).

The Seventh Generation is coming next.

The remodeled 2026 Outback is coming next. The next-generation Outback is expected to arrive sometime next year. Subaru of America has yet to announce the new model change and upgrades, but I'll be here to cover the remodeled Outback details when they do.

While Subaru of America has yet to announce the 2026 model change upgrades, one thing is certain. The automaker is committed to preserving the Outback's success. The next Subaru Outback evolution is coming soon. Stay tuned. 

Outback owners, it's your turn.

Let us know how many Outbacks or the number of generations you have owned through the years. Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know. 

Watch this Outback turns 30 YouTube video. 

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Writer since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Subaru Corp.